Romans 8:18-23 (NLT)
18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later. 19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 And we believers also groan, even though we have the Holy Spirit within us as a foretaste of future glory, for we long for our bodies to be released from sin and suffering. We, too, wait with eager hope for the day when God will give us our full rights as his adopted children, including the new bodies he has promised us.

Here the apostle writes about the suffering believers face today versus the future of a glorious life with God. Presently our souls are tormented by suffering and sin. Even with the Holy Spirit testifying our future hope; we still eagerly wait for what God has promised. All of creation looks forward with hope the freedom from death and decay.

One of the news networks covering the Republican National Convention interviewed Miles McPherson, a black pastor who spoke and led the convention in prayer. Miles was formerly a defensive back for the San Diego Chargers. As Miles talked he gave a personal testimony of how he came to know Jesus Christ and then went on to be a pastor. Two years into his pro career he was battling a drug problem and an immoral lifestyle. His life was spiraling out of control. In April of 1984, after being up all night long doing cocaine he remembered the gospel of Jesus Christ that had been shared with him months earlier. Realizing his life was empty he gave his life to Jesus Christ. There is nothing more powerful that listening to someone whose life has been transformed by Christ into a new and meaningful life. Here in this world we battle against sin and all the curses brought with it. We might face death, we might face pain, but we have the hope of living eternally with Jesus Christ. That life will be glorious and our eternal life with Christ will out weight any pain, struggle, or feeling of hopelessness we have ever had. Praise God for changed lives and the hope given us through Jesus Christ.